Earlier this month, Hilario Homberto Urena was arrested on suspicion of DUI after the big rig he was driving crossed a yellow line and struck on oncoming vehicle head-on. The driver of the other vehicle died of the injuries he sustained, according to police. The accident occurred in Ontario on Haven Avenue, according to KTLA 5.

Urena, who is 40 years old and a resident of the Bay Area suburb of Tracy, fled the scene of the accident before driving onto the 60 Freeway and abandoning his truck. A news release indicated that the crash took place just after 1 a.m. on Thursday, September 11. California Highway Patrol claimed that the truck’s bumper was left at the scene of the accident. When Urena drove onto the 60 Freeway on-ramp, his big rig struck a wall; the truck finally came to rest in a lane of the freeway,. where another motorist hit it. Urena was walking on the freeway when police spotted him and took him into custody.

Police believe that alcohol contributed to the fatal accident, saying that Urena exhibited signs that he had consumed alcohol. He has been booked on charges of felony DUI while operating a commercial vehicle, suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and felony hit and run.

Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony hit and run – these are very serious charges. As Michigan DUI defense attorneys know, a charge of driving while under the influence is serious enough on its own, leaving the defendant facing possible jail time, steep fines, driver’s license suspension, community service, and more. However, when another person is seriously injured or killed in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, the situation becomes much more serious.

In the state of Michigan, a conviction for OWI causing death or manslaughter may result in penalties which include a maximum of 15 years in prison. If a highway or emergency worker is killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver, the defendant may face up to 20 years behind bars if found guilty.

Regardless of the seriousness of the situation, any offense revolving around DUI should be discussed with an experienced Michigan DUI lawyer immediately. The goal of your attorney will be to protect your freedom and future, limiting the damage to your life to the greatest extent possible.